iTechPost.com had reported earlier that mobile operators in Europe were stockpiling nano-SIMs in anticipation of Apple's next-gen iPhone 5. A new series of photographs of a smaller tray surfaced on Monday (Aug. 6), fueling the already circulating rumors that the iPhone 5 will sport the more compact nano-SIM.
Apparently, the French blog Nowhere Else claims to have in its possession the supposed SIM card tray for the fabled iPhone. The photos of the empty SIM tray, published on the French blog reveal a design that is nearly a third - 40 percent smaller - of the existing micro-SIMs. The nano-SIM is shaped similarly to the micro-SIM and measures 2.3mm wide by 8.8mm high and is 0.67mm thick. The photos also point towards a retooled insert and a narrower SIM slot.
The small size means that the SIM will occupy less internal space than its predecessor, which would aid Apple in making smaller devices that can maximize functionality. The slimmer hardware design of the iPhone 5 would make a smaller SIM card necessary. The space saving nano-SIM fits in beautifully with Apple's scheme of things and going forward, will assist the company in designing more streamlined iDevices.
A peek at the side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 SIM card trays clearly indicates that the latter is significantly smaller.
Earlier in March, the grapevine was abuzz with rumors that Apple would employ the nano-SIM. The rumors gained prominence after reports circulated that Apple was offering to license its nano-SIM technology and patents royalty-free to competitors, in a bid to make it the new industry standard.
Apple eventually got its wish as in June this year when the European Telecommunications Standards Institutue selected the company's 4FF nano-SIM design as the official standard for the SIM card.
Any new technology brings with it some unforeseen problems, several challenges, and drawbacks. The nano-SIM is no different. Tech gurus aver that the nano-switch creates all sorts of compatibility issues.
SIM technology is touted for its universality and the ease factor, which allows one to swap the card from one phone to another. When Apple's iPhone 4S, that employed a micro-SIM card, was launched last year it introduced a chain of frustrations for smartphone owners. Existing SIMs had to be cut to the new size to fit the handset's SIM size specifications or a spanking new SIM had to be purchased for the unlocked versions.
The purported images may assert that iPhone 5 is on its way with the nano-SIM in tow. We can only wait for Sept.12 and see if the conjectures bear fruition.
